I’m sitting on the fence, on the side with the greener grass this in many ways was 5 stars. If you consider how truly emotionally triggered I was by this book. It’s a mundane existence nothing out of the ordinary and possibly why this book hit home on every single page. This book isn’t about mental illness, and yet it is a major theme that is dealt with extremely well. The frustration of seeing one doctor and another, another, another and another. Is felt by the reader with how this author had skilfully written these specific topics and chapters.

The anger and sadness that Martha endures is crafted expertly. Along with the impact her actions have on her loved ones. It’s a truly realistic and impactful book that will crack open your heart with the reality of the challenges of everyday love. What we are willing to put up with and why, from a variety of characters and backgrounds.

The sister bond! No more needs to be said in many ways the relationship between the two sisters is one of the most powerful aspects of this novel the pure love they have for each other and yet one still can not see or know what the other is experiencing until she’s told. Although there may be shock or bewilderment there is never doubt that what Martha is saying is true. And in so many ways that is more important than understanding something you haven’t gone through, but sitting, listening and believing is.

I can’t even speak about Patric, he’s so perfect the ideal husband, undeniably so. And yet like all relationships from the outside you have wonder how could you not be happy with them they are so perfect, but this doesn’t matter when you yourself are not happy. And being let into this marriage on this inside and seeing perfect be not so perfect, creates an entire new world of understanding. He’s real, and he’s kind and yet being human has the ability to say things in the heat of the moment that shocked even me. That said I wish I had the patience this man does, because I most certainly do not.

The side of the fence with the dusty ground and struggling lawn. I found the writing lacked a lot of flow, there may have been a purpose to this. A reflection of Martha’s life in many ways. But random seemly irrelevant subjects where just scatted throughout. It wasn’t poorly writing but by no means was the style of writing why I enjoyed this novel. Or had myself in tears moreover.

Also many reviews said this novel as dark as it gets is also full of humour, I must have dug too far down because I could not find the humour in the writing, it’s not all negative no. But I don’t recall ever actually laughing either.

Anyhow I have many pages with folded corners I’m going to go back and highlight and maybe update this with a rating and also some quotes, because many will be worth while sharing.


TW: discussions of motherhood being able or not able, abortion, miscarriage, mental illnesses, ending of life thoughts and discussions